The Salina Airport Authority has invited another K-State Salina student to be a part of their team as an intern for the fall 2011 semester.

Kristen Lingg is a senior at K-State Salina majoring in Aeronautical Technology with a minor in Aviation Safety.Lingg transferred to K-State Salina in the spring of 2009 from K-State's main campus in Manhattan, Kan.She currently holds her instrument, commercial and flight instructor ratings and will be finishing her multi-engine and flight instructor-instrument ratings this semester as well.Her post-graduation goals are to be a Marine Corps Aviator a route chosen by another previous Airport Authority Intern, Joshua Stacey.She will begin her journey into the Armed Forces when she attends Officer Candidate School in June 2012.

The Airport Authority has hosted students for more than a decade and has seen vast advancements in the internship program over the years.The most prominent and valuable gain is that K-State students are receiving college credit for their work.This opportunity is available to upper classmen majoring in technology management, professional pilot, aviation maintenance or engineering technology.

Students applying for this internship are put through the "real world" process of finding a job.Each applicant must present a cover letter, resume, letter of recommendation and an internship application.Airport Authority takes this internship extremely serious as each applicant offered the position must pass a five-year KBI background investigation.

This semester Lingg will be working on multiple airport projects.The focus of her work will be in the communications, public relations and marketing departments of the Airport Authority; however she will also have exposure to the airport operations department as well.

"Everyone with the Airport Authority has been great to work with and very welcoming," Lingg says. "They're giving me invaluable guidance in career building and allowing me to further discover and develop my own strengths in aspects of aviation world I would have never considered."

Lingg has been highly involved on the K-State Salina campus during her time there.She has served as a member of Women in Aviation, International, a Senator for the Student Government Association, a Student Ambassador and a member of Alpha Eta Rho.

Lingg has also worked with the Salina Airport Authority in the past when she served as Student Chair for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association SAFECON Region VI Regional Competition held in Salina, Kan. in October of 2010.

"I've been flying for over three years at the Salina Airport and it's been great experience to see the airport from a different perspective," said Lingg."There is so much that goes into the everyday operation and the knowledge I'm gaining will definitely further my aviation career in the future."

To find out more about the airport's internship program or to apply contact the Career and Employment Services office at K-State Salina or visit the Airport Authority's website.

Tower Updates

We are happy to finally report that the Fort Riley airport surveillance radar feed has been successfully installed on the SLN radar display.The SLN display now has both Hutchinson and Fort Riley radar feeds.Aircraft with a transponder can now be viewed by the SLN controllers down to 400-600 AGL.Before, the SLN controllers could not see any aircraft north of the airport below 3000.This is a fantastic improvement in radar coverage in the Salina area and will result in improved safety for all pilots who are receiving services from Kansas City Center or Salina Tower.Kansas City Center is also using the Fort Riley radar.Our thanks go out to Tim Rogers who has been working on this project for several years.Thanks Tim.

Blake Hanson was certified in the tower on 9/1/11.Blake comes to SLNTower from Cheyenne, WY Tower.Michael Graham is our newest employee and comes to us from Beaver County Tower, Pennsylvania.Michael is scheduled to receive his tower certification on 11/2.We are happy to have Blake and Michael and hope they will stay with us for awhile.

September was a busy month for the airport.Traffic count figures were higher than we have seen in quite awhile.October will be a busy month also.We are glad to see the numbers going up.

Thank You,

Bruce M. Boyle

Manager, KSLN FCT

On the Flightline

A Marine Corps K-MAX helicopter stops at America Jet for fuel.

Certified in 1994, K-MAX helicopters now operate in 10 countries around the world, growing in popularity due to their impressive vertical lift capabilities. Designed to perform repetitive external lifting - the American-made K- MAX performs that mission better than any other helicopter in the world. The single-engine, single-seat K- MAX is a rugged workhorse, and no helicopter works harder or more efficiently.

As America's Fuel Stop, the Salina Airport Authority is proud to support the fighting men and women of the U.S. and Allied Forces.

Salina and Saline County residents are but 50 minutes from the Kansas City International Airport via SeaPort Airlines. A 50-minute flight on SeaPort provides area residents access to an international airport offering nonstop flights to 51 cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The next best option is a one and a half hour drive to an airport that offers limited nonstop flights to only nine U.S. cities. The Kansas City International Airport is a true hub offering a significant number of nonstop and direct flight at true low fares.

SeaPort's Salina to Kansas City schedule and fares offers passengers to opportunity to save both time and money. Even at higher speed limits, Kansas City is still a three-hour drive each way. Accounting for the cost of fuel, airport parking fees and your time, SeaPort's $59 one way fare is the way to start and end your trip.

Save time, money and stress - fly SeaPort Airlines from Salina to the Kansas City International Airport.

Tim Rogers, A.A.E.

Executive Director

SeaPort Airlines, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce and community partner to host canned food drive

SeaPort Airlines announced today that they will host a canned food drive with Salina community partners from Nov. 1 through Nov. 18.All non-perishable food items that are collected will go to the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank in Salina, Kan.for distribution.

"This time of year is not unlike any other time of year, people need food.We're seeing between 145 and 150 households a week," said Kathleen Jackson, Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank administrator."The food collected during this food drive will go to help those in need both during and after the holidays and throughout the year.We appreciate the support of those who are willing to get involved."

To sweeten the deal, SeaPort Airlines has pledged to give every individual who drops off at least four non-perishable food items one $25 SeaPort travel voucher.Food must be dropped off at one of the listed co-sponsor drop-off locations during regular business hours:

SeaPort Airlines Ticket Counter at Salina Airport

Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

The Salina Journal

Kansas Wesleyan University

Brown Mackie College

Kansas National Guard

Salina Public Library

The New Zoo 92.7 FM

Eagle Media Center

Sign House

Chiropractic Wellness Center

The Salina Media Group will also be helping the food drive effort by broadcasting public service announcements, although they're not a drop-off location.

"We're proud to be participating in this community event that reflects the goodwill of the holiday season," said Rob McKinney SeaPort Airlines president. "It takes a strong partnership to make an event like this a success, and I hope as many people as possible join us."

Everyone in Salina and surrounding communities are invited to participate. At each location, a designated employee will be available to collect food items and distribute vouchers.Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent to receive a $25 SeaPort travel voucher.Vouchers are good for travel from Dec. 1, 2011 to Jan. 31 2012; blackout dates apply Dec. 22 to 25.

"We look forward to active participation by the business people of Salina in this effort to help others and we also thank SeaPort Airlines for their support of Salina," said Dennis Lauver, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

Candy Canes & Airplanes: Kamp Kringle to base in Salina, hold Fly-In and Open House

'Twas a few weeks before Christmas, and all over the tarmac,Not a creature was stirring, not even a Wildcat;The Guard had their Blackhawks ready and prepared,Knowing that St. Nicholas was on his way there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While CF-18s zoomed over their heads;And Bruce in the tower, and Tim at his desk,Were preparing the airfield for a very special guest.

Click for PDF.

Perhaps the world's most famous pilot, Kris Kringle, will spend a week at the Salina Municipal Airport and host an open house exclusively for the good boys and girls of Salina and the surrounding area, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Salina Airport's Hangar 600 located at 2720 Arnold.

Santa's reindeer will be resting up for the big day, so don't miss his 'new ride.'Plenty of military and civilian aircraft will be available for viewing. Kids of all ages will enjoy cookies and cocoa with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as Santa's entourage, free of charge.

With the Jolly Old Elf's little elves hard at work in the North Pole, K-State Salina student organizations will be on hand with fun games and crafts.They will also be keeping parents supplied with hot coffee and taking photos with Santa in front of a K-State airplane.All club activities will require a small donation.

Everyone has got a story--and we want to hear yours!Submit your "Short 'n' Sweet" SeaPort story for a chance towin round trip tickets on SeaPort Airlines. Its super simple; just write a short (250 words or less) story that fits one of the two options listed below, and submitit toMarketing@SeaPortAir.comin the body of an e-mail with your full name, date of birth, and e-mail address. One entry per person.

Story options:

1. Write about your favorite experience with SeaPort Airlines.

OR

2. Write about what you'd do with two round trip tickets on SeaPort Airlines.

A winning entry will be selected from each option above (1 and 2) and announced on November 15th, 2011. Winning entries will be published on the SeaPort RePort.

You must be 18 years of age or older to submit an entry. Entries with vulgar, discriminatory, or inappropriate language of any kind will not be accepted.

Runner-up entries may be selected for publishing after November 15th. By entering the SeaPort Short 'n' Sweet Story Contest, you agree to contest rules and restrictions. SeaPort Airlines reserves the right to utilize contest entries online, in marketing materials, and for other promotional purposes.

Wildcat Corner: Writing the book on unmanned aircraft systems

Kansas State University Salina is one of the few places in the country that offers a degree and certificate program in the new and growing field of unmanned aircraft systems, so finding textbooks for courses was a challenge.

But not anymore.

The university's Kurt Barnhart, executive director of the Applied Aviation Research Center and head of the aviation department, and Eric Shappee, associate professor of aviation, have helped write and edit one of the first collegiate-level textbooks on unmanned aircraft systems, "Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems."

Wildcat Corner: Flight team soars in regional, qualifies for national competition

Kansas State University Salina's Flight Team is headed to the national SAFECON competition in May 2012 after taking second at the Region VI competition, Oct. 17-21.

K-State Salina won several other awards, including the Safety Award, which is given to one team that demonstrates safety in all aspects of the competition. The Flight Team also placed first overall in flying events and third overall in ground events.

SAFECON competitions feature flight events and ground events that test the teams' abilities in all aspects of flight. Contestants placing in the top 20 in each event earn points for their team. The results of each event contribute to the teams' overall scores.

SeaPort Airlines today announced record passenger traffic in their Salina, Kansas market. Traffic in Salina has increased 33% year-over-year for the month of September. Traffic was up 11.8% system-wide in SeaPort's lower 48 markets.

"We've found a great partner with the community of Salina and look forward to welcoming more passengers in the months to come," said Rob McKinney, President of SeaPort Airlines.

Salina MAC is 'Joining Forces'

One percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100 percent of Americans to be supporting our troops and their families. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden are asking Americans to get involved any way they can.

The MAC has pledged 100 service hours to Operation Honor Cards in honor of the military, their families and Veterans. We are encouraging the community to also participate by sending a message of thanks, sharing your story of support, pledging service hours, or starting your own volunteer project.

At comparable prices, if you could cut your travel time in half, and not have the general hassles of the full airport experience, wouldn't you do it? Hassle free, convenient, affordable, and most importantly-FAST. This is a new option in business and leisure travel.

SeaPort offers daily scheduled flights in the Northwest and Mid-South like the old airlines, but with a notable absence of what makes flying today slow and miserable. How?

No TSA hassles at any of our locations.

Affordable fares.

Our own private terminals.

Arrive 15 minutes before your flight, even with check-in bags.

Free airport parking. (Mandatory Valet in Portland)

Complimentary shuttle service to and from the main terminal in Portland, Memphis & Kansas City.

Commercial air travel in today's climate is difficult at best. The airports are becoming more crowded, have longer lines and with the tighter budgets, speed and convenience seem like a thing of the past. Until now.

The way travel was meant to be, with all the conveniences of private air travel, but without the big price tag. Isn't it about time?